Innovation in the Digital Revolution

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Walter Isaacson, former chairman and CEO of CNN, after writing bestsellers on the likes of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein and Benjamin Franklin, has earned his reputation as an expert on genius. His latest book, The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution, analyzes how a series of groundbreaking inventors and entrepreneurs were able to turn their visionary ideas into disruptive realities.

In his stage presentation at the most recent World Business Forum in New York City’s Lincoln Center, Isaacson shared lessons he learned from a lifetime of studying and working with great minds.

“Being creative and innovative are the most important traits you can have,” said Isaacson. Imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is only truly meaningful when it is put to good use. “Innovation comes from those who can stand at the intersection of the arts and technology. For the past 40 years the digital revolution has been driven by engineers, but now we see the next phase of the revolution. Those who are creative, artistic, have a sense of the humanities and are able to connect that to technology… that’s where value will be now,” said Isaacson.

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William Flamme

William Flamme is ExecuNet's Marketing Content Manager, where he is responsible for developing engaging career, job search, and leadership insight and delivering executive-level content across the various properties under the ExecuNet brand. Prior to joining ExecuNet in 2008, Will earned a master's degree in education and taught fifth grade and sixth grade. As a teacher, he deepened his appreciation for the written word and mastered skills necessary for managing writers who sometimes view deadlines as homework.